BoxRec

Ovill McKenzie has announced that he is retiring from boxing after he was diagnosed with a heart condition.

The former world title challenger had been scheduled to face Marco Huck in September but he was forced to withdraw from the bout on medical grounds.

McKenzie has now revealed that tests have shown he is suffering with a heart condition and while admitting he was sad to be ending his time in the sport, he said it had been a "pleasure" to have a career spanning over 12 years.

On Twitter, the 36-year-old said: "It is with great sadness that I announce that I am retiring from boxing. I have been diagnosed with a heart condition.

"So, I can no longer pursue my dream of being a World Champion. I would like to take this time to thank everyone from my team to the fans!

"As disappointed as I am about the situation, it's been a great pleasure getting to perform for you all and I have to keep my chin up!"

McKenzie won British and Commonwealth titles during his 38-fight career while his last fight saw him secure a draw with Victor Emilio Ramirez in their IBF title clash in Argentina.

Best wishes to Ovill,good fighter,not afraid to fight anyone,or anywhere.I've only seen a couple of his fights but remember the first fight with Bellew and it was a cracker.

Shame Ovill's had to retire, especially as he seemed to be getting better with age. Hope he has a long and happy retirement.

Gutted. One of my personal favourites of the last few years.

Really nice bloke. Completely over-achieved through sheer hard work and dedication.

Would love him to open a restraunt in retirement he's a great cook.

Gutted for him,one of the most entertaining british (based) fighters of the last 15 years or so and an absolute murderous puncher at light heavy.

Should of got the nod against ramirez and can be very proud of what he achieved in the ring.

Sad to hear as he's always come across as a great guy but it's best that they have found it now than having a possible life threatening occurance in the ring.

He should have World champion on his CV- he beat Ramirez in Argentina imo.

Ovill was a favorite of mine; some cracking knockouts and knockdowns.

I know its thrown around a lot but "nicest guy in boxing" seems to fit for Ovill.Always enjoyed his fights,took short notices all the time,never ducked and there was more to his game than just power.

Good luck Ovill Mckenzie.One love Bruda

Sad news. Hope he finds something to fill the void.

what exactly is the heart condition? like what was the diagnosis? does anybody know?

Damn that's a shame. Really unfortunate we didn't get to see Ovill vs Huck before he called it a career, but if he had a heart condition it might've done him in to be in a fight like that so I'm glad he's well.

Best of luck to you Ovill. A very fun Journeyman who became a legit threat by the end of his career, and was always a very likable guy.

TheLeprechaun wrote:what exactly is the heart condition? like what was the diagnosis? does anybody know?

Could be congenital or could just be that he suffers with bouts of Tachycardia which in a 12 round affair isn't the best thing to be going into the ring with.

lefty wrote:

TheLeprechaun wrote:what exactly is the heart condition? like what was the diagnosis? does anybody know?

Could be congenital or could just be that he suffers with bouts of Tachycardia which in a 12 round affair isn't the best thing to be going into the ring with.

Bouts of tachycardia would be related to some kind of defect though im assuming. Whether it's congenital or not is what im curious about. Im assuming it's rare for a heart condition to just sprout up? I suspect it's a congenital defect that has gotten worse over time. I think there are some heart defects you can box with, like some mild valve stenosis which is usually congenital and sometimes can get worse over time. I've heard of some pro athletes with pulmonary valve stenosis for example. I think the footballer Kanu had some kind of heart defect but he got surgery for it and was able to continue playing.

Doctors are always going to be overly cautious. The last thing they want is to clear a fighter and then he has a heart attack in the ring.

TheLeprechaun wrote:

lefty wrote:

TheLeprechaun wrote:what exactly is the heart condition? like what was the diagnosis? does anybody know?

Could be congenital or could just be that he suffers with bouts of Tachycardia which in a 12 round affair isn't the best thing to be going into the ring with.

Bouts of tachycardia would be related to some kind of defect though im assuming. Whether it's congenital or not is what im curious about. Im assuming it's rare for a heart condition to just sprout up? I suspect it's a congenital defect that has gotten worse over time. I think there are some heart defects you can box with, like some mild valve stenosis which is usually congenital and sometimes can get worse over time. I've heard of some pro athletes with pulmonary valve stenosis for example. I think the footballer Kanu had some kind of heart defect but he got surgery for it and was able to continue playing.

Doctors are always going to be overly cautious. The last thing they want is to clear a fighter and then he has a heart attack in the ring.

Not necessarily. I suffer with bouts of Tachycardia myself and I've had lost of different tests done and there was nothing wrong with my heart. My cardiologist told me that they can occur in some people from time to time like an anomaly.

lefty wrote: Not necessarily. I suffer with bouts of Tachycardia myself and I've had lost of different tests done and there was nothing wrong with my heart. My cardiologist told me that they can occur in some people from time to time like an anomaly.

That's interesting.

I can't help but think there is some cause of it though. Like something in your diet or some kind of allergy to something that sets it off. I don't think a doctor is going to delve that far into it to find a cause. It's easier to just say its an anomaly

Great to watch Ovil and he's a real down to
Earth guy it seems. He always came to fight. I'll never forget getting 12/1 in play on him to stop Dickinson after the 1st round

Hope he has a healthy retirement, top man Ovil

A great man, it's been a pleasure to watch his career.

Hats off to ovill on a cracking career can be proud of what he achieved

Best of luck to him. Always liked Ovill. Entertaining boxer who would fight anyone. Amazing how he went from a journeyman at the start of his career to becoming a world level boxer who should have got the nod against Ramirez.

Always comes across as a really nice guy too.

Some of the comments on this thread say all you need to know about McKenzie. Most hardcore fans have a soft spot for him. Should've won a world strap. I hope he has a long and happy retirement. He deserves it

Sad news that he is retiring, but good that the problem was diagnosed. I always enjoyed watching Ovill - a proper old school fighter who would have been at home in any era, and one of the sport's good guys. Best wishes to him.

Good luck to him, always seemed a decent bloke and had a good career to say he never really got the promotion.

Good fighter, seems top bloke too, all the best and hope this heart condition doesn't prevent him from enjoying his retirement.

I wish him all the best in retirement, he's been a great servant to boxing in this country and a proper inspiration for any young boxer amateur or professional who suffer setbacks, as has been mentioned he should be world champ he deserved the nod against Ramirez, hopefully he stays in the game